Volleyball

Volleyball Pushes Sacramento State Throughout in Four-Set Defeat

Sep 25, 2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Freshman
outside hitter Jen Wilson posted a breakout performance with 14
kills and a .464 hitting percentage as the Lumberjacks nearly
pulled out a 3-1 victory at Sacramento State on Thursday night. The
Lumberjacks held a 21-16 lead in the fourth set, but Sacramento
State rallied in the late stages to preserve the win. Sacramento
State won by scores of 22-25, 25-18, 25-21, and 25-22.

Wilson, from Anaheim, Calif., was the story Thursday night
recording career-high marks across the board. In addition to the 14
kills and .464 hitting percentage, Wilson added eight digs and
three blocks.

“She played really well,” said head coach Craig Choate
of Wilson. “It wasn’t just the hitting. She was just
making some plays she normally doesn’t make along the net
saving some balls. She had a wonderful match.”

Playing in its first Big Sky Conference match on the road, NAU
(4-8, 1-2 BSC) opened play with a 25-22 first set victory against
the Hornets whom are tied for the conference lead in wins (8) this
fall. It marked the second time NAU has won the opening set away
from Flagstaff since Aug. 29 versus Cal State Northridge.

The Lumberjacks played well in the second hitting .357 with only
one error, but Sacramento State answered the call with a match-high
.438 hitting percentage in the second set and finished the set
25-18.

NAU went on a 6-2 run early in the third set to take the lead from
Sacramento State and the set went back and forth throughout with
eight ties and four lead changes. The Hornets eventually went on a
small 4-0 run to secure the third set 25-21.

In the fourth set, the Hornets appeared to have faced the
Lumberjacks best effort and prevailed as they opening up an 8-2
lead. With Lexie Schroeder serving, the Lumberjacks capitalized on
two quick points then three consecutive attacking errors to bring
NAU within one at 8-7.

The Lumberjacks went on another mini-run holding a 13-11 then
pushed the margin to five at 21-16. Sacramento State answered with
seven-consecutive points closing the match with an 8-1 edge.

“Every time it came to push and shove we couldn’t
pass,” said Choate of what became the difference in
Thursday’s match. “We hit better tonight than we have
against any team. We just couldn’t pass the ball when it
mattered. It is going to be this way all year long until we pick up
the speed, but that will change with time.”

The Lumberjacks finished with their second-best hitting percentage
of the season (.248) and their top performance in the early stages
of conference play. NAU tied a season-low in hitting errors
committing just 11 for the match.

The women also recorded a season-high 88 digs led by freshman
libero Anna Gott who collected a match-high 26 digs. Freshmen Kelli
Dallman, Lauren Campbell, and Lexie Schroeder all posted
double-digits in digs forcing rallies and keeping NAU in the match.